Department for Transport

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether consultants working for HS2 Ltd will be prevented from participating in any tender for main contractor roles in the design and delivery of HS2 in order to avoid any conflict of interest and to ensure a fair tender process.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: HS2 Ltd has a Conflicts of Interest Panel that considers actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest on a case-by-case basis. This Panel is chaired by HS2 Ltd’s General Counsel. This Panel is supported by an in-house Compliance team.

Euston Station

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the station to be built at Euston in accordance with Additional Provision 3 to the High Speed Rail (London–West Midlands) Bill will be designed in such a way that Regulation 3 of the Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) (England) Regulations 2009 applies.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Regulation 3, of The Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) (England) Regulations 2009, provides a definition for whether a railway station is classified as a sub-surface railway station. The definition is based on the extent of enclosed/below ground platforms and tracks within a public railway station. When the definition is met the Regulations apply. The high speed station at Euston is defined as a sub-surface railway station (as per Regulation 3). The Regulations are applied to the design of the high speed station, and the existing LU Station. The Regulations have not been applied to the existing conventional station, which is not currently classified as a sub-surface railway station.

Dover Port: Channel Ferries

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce queuing by motor vehicles for Dover ferries in summer peak periods.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: There are a number of measures currently in place to manage traffic on its approach to Dover port. These include a recently opened extended area within the port that can hold up to 300 lorries, along with the TAP (Traffic Assessment Project) traffic management system that allows port-bound lorries to be held outside the town on the A20 at traffic lights until space at the Port becomes available and to prevent queuing in central Dover during busy periods. The Government also has use of Manston airport as a contingency should the need arise. A consultation regarding the building of a lorry park next to the M20 at Stanford West started on 12 August and will run until 23 September 2016. Up to £250 million has been committed to this scheme. The lorry park at Stanford West, on the M20 close to junction 11, was selected as the preferred site last month following a separate consultation between December 2015 and January 2016. This Government wants to have a country that works for everyone, and we are committed to keeping drivers in Kent moving.

A1: Nottinghamshire

Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 14 June (HL500), whether they intend to publish in the Official Record a summary of the findings of the lessons learnt review of the 83 per cent escalation of costs for the recent improvements to the A1 road close to Gamston Airport, and what steps they have taken to reduce the risk of similar occurrences.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The “Lessons Learned” workshop was completed on 8 June 2016 and is currently under review. There are some outstanding issues to be resolved regarding the possible requirement for permanent speed cameras, the agreement of alterations to a private access and the completion of road safety audit works, before it can be completed. Highways England intend to publish their findings on their website in due course. To reduce the risks of similar occurrences, Highways England now has a greater focus on strategic planning with a five year plan of work. They are more able to ensure early contractor involvement more proactively in the development and construction of schemes. Highways England will take the lessons learned on the A1 Elkesley and ensure they are given due consideration in future schemes.

Leader of the House of Lords

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Written Questions

Lord Jopling: To ask the Leader of the House, further to her Written Statement on 21 July (HLWS128), what discussion she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in the light of that Department's position as the Department having the worst record in answering Questions for Written Answer within 10 working days, and whether the Secretary of State intends to make a Written Statement to explain what steps have been taken within that Department to match the overall record of government departments in answering 93 per cent of Written Question within 10 working days.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: I take very seriously my responsibility as Leader of the House to encourage Ministers to be punctual in answering written questions. I recently published data on departmental performance in answering Questions for Written Answer for the 2015/16 session, where I was pleased to see that 93% of questions were answered within 10 working days. Nevertheless, we must always strive to do better. I have written to the three departments with the greatest proportion of late responses in the last session to make clear the House’s expectations and to stress the importance of timely responses. Though the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (formerly the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) received 475 Questions for Written Answer in 2015/16 - more than double the number received in the previous session - Ministers were nevertheless disappointed by the department’s performance. In response the department has put in place a range of actions to improve performance, including strengthening internal deadlines and procedures. Baroness Neville-Rolfe, as the Lords Minister, has stressed to me how seriously the department takes its responsibilities to Parliament and is confident that performance will improve in this session.My office continues to work with all departments to ensure prompt and comprehensive responses to all Questions for Written Answer. I will continue to publish data on an annual basis to allow analysis of performance over time. This practice is important in highlighting where improvements in timeliness could and should be made.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

EU Grants and Loans

Baroness Janke: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the remarks by the Minister for Universities and Science that it would be “business as usual” for EU funding committees until the UK leaves the EU, why there have been delays in communicating the outcomes of funding decisions since the referendum; and what steps they are taking to ensure that there are sufficient staff and resources available promptly to process and decide on applications for EU funding to ensure that those funds reach projects.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government is not aware of such delays. However, we remain vigilant and open to evidence of problems in this area, and have set up a mailbox where specific instances should be sent. The mailbox address is [emailprotected]/*  */!function(t,e,r,n,c,a,p){try{t=document.currentScript||function(){for(t=document.getElementsByTagName('script'),e=t.length;e--;)if(t[e].getAttribute('data-cfhash'))return t[e]}();if(t&&(c=t.previousSibling)){p=t.parentNode;if(a=c.getAttribute('data-cfemail')){for(e='',r='0x'+a.substr(0,2)|0,n=2;a.length-n;n+=2)e+='%'+('0'+('0x'+a.substr(n,2)^r).toString(16)).slice(-2);p.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(decodeURIComponent(e)),c)}p.removeChild(t)}}catch(u){}}()/*  */. If the noble Baroness was able to provide more information, we would be happy to look into it.

Greenwich Mean Time

Lord Tanlaw: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to change the meaning of the acronym GMT from Greenwich Mean Time to Greenwich Meridian Time.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: We consider that any attempt to change the meaning of the acronym GMT is likely to result in confusion.

Zero Hours Contracts

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics' Labour Force Survey showing that there has been a 20 per cent increase in the past year of workers on zero-hours contracts, what action they are taking to support those workers.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The latest ONS survey shows that less than 3% of the UK workforce is on a zero hours contract with nearly 70% happy with the hours they work. These contracts have a part to play in a modern, flexible labour market.Government made exclusivity clauses in zero hour contracts unlawful in 2015, meaning individuals have more control over their lives and can work more hours with another employer if they wish. Government also created a route of redress for individuals whose employer mistreats them if they look for, or work elsewhere.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Trade Promotion: USA

Baroness Barker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what basis they decided to open an office in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: North Carolina has been one of the fastest growing states in the US in recent years in terms of both GDP and population and hosts numerous multinational corporations. Raleigh is home to the Research Triangle, centred on North Carolina State University, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and contains one of the biggest clusters of life science companies in the US as well as a growing number of high-tech companies.

Trade Promotion: USA

Baroness Barker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what locations they considered for their new offices in the USA focused on international trade.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The USA is the UK’s single largest trade and investment partner, and the decision to open three new Government Offices in 2016 reflects our ambition to expand this economic partnership even further.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office considered a number of factors when deciding where to open these offices. The cities of Raleigh, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and San Diego, California were judged to have the best combination of policy, research and trade and investment potential.

Rakhine State Advisory Commission

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they plan to give to the Commission on Rakhine State led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have long advocated for action to tackle the problems of Rakhine for the benefit of all communities, and to end the mistreatment of the Muslim Rohingya minority. We therefore welcome the establishment of this Commission. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Reading West (Alok Sharma), issued a statement to this effect on 25 August. On 14 September he also held a telephone conversation with Mr Annan in which he conveyed the UK’s strong support for his appointment and mandate. We are clear that this is a Burmese conceived and led initiative, and that is as it should be. The UK is providing funding to support the work of the Kofi Annan Foundation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Politics and Government

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking ahead of the EU General Affairs Council on 20 September to engage their EU counterparts on the issue of imposing restrictive measures on individuals in Bosnia and Herzegovina who oppose those who will administer or facilitate the referendum on 25 September.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK Government, together with international partners, is pressing political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to use domestic processes to find a constitutional solution to the issue of the referendum on 25 September. The UK is also engaging with EU partners on how to respond if the referendum does take place on 25th September.

Russia: Sanctions

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 25 July (HL1110), whether they are at variance with the government of the Republic of Cyprus regarding its unilateral call for an end to current trade and economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU; and what assessment they have made of whether that call casts doubts on the Republic of Cyprus' sincerity and dependability in other areas of common interest, including the Talks Process.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: On 1 July 2016, the European Council unanimously agreed to prolong economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 January 2017. The EU remains united in its strategy of resolving the Ukraine crisis through diplomacy underpinned by robust sanctions pressure. All EU Member States have agreed that the duration of the sanctions is linked to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements.The UK has a strong relationship with the Republic of Cyprus. With respect to the Cyprus settlement talks, we commend the courageous leadership of President Anastasiasdes and Mr Akıncı. As The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Sir Alan Duncan) made clear during his visit to Cyprus on 6-8 September, the UK will continue to support the efforts of both communities to reunite Cyprus.

Turkey: Financial Services

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the effect on UK–Turkish financial services transactions of the reported collection by the Turkish government of client research carried out by Turkish brokerage houses following the attempted coup of 15 July.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government is aware of news reporting of Turkish brokerage houses’ research being sought by the Turkish authorities, but the impact on UK-Turkish financial services transactions is as yet unclear. It is not unusual for governments to refer to research undertaken by independent researchers and analysts. We have and continue to emphasise that the Turkish Government's response to the coup attempt must be demonstrably lawful and proportionate. We will continue to engage with the Turkish Government on its response to the coup attempt and monitor the situation closely.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sovereignty

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, ahead of the referendum in the entity of Republika Srpska on 25 September, what support they have given High Representative Valentin Inzko to enable him to exercise his mandate under the Dayton Peace Accord to uphold the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: As members of the Peace Implementation Council, the UK issued a statement on 30 August 2016 urging the Republika Srpska authorities not to hold the proposed referendum and making clear our support for the High Representative. The Government is in close contact with the High Representative and international partners about the proposed referendum and is committed to upholding the territorial integrity and structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as a single, sovereign state comprising two entities.

Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they made of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, and its role in Yemen, before announcing that the UK would continue to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application.Risks around human rights violations are a key part of our assessment against the Consolidated Criteria. We do not export equipment where we assess there is a clear risk that it might be used for internal repression, or would provoke or prolong conflict within a country, or where we assess there is a clear risk that the intended recipient would use the items aggressively against another country. Export licensing requires us to consider how the equipment will be used by the end-user. This is done by reference to all currently available and relevant information at the time of application. A licence will not be issued, for any country, if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the mandatory Criteria, including where we assess there is a clear risk that it might be used in the commission of a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.

Egypt: Foreign Relations

Lord Stone of Blackheath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to strengthen ties, and build a partnership, with Egypt to fight terrorism and promote peace and British interests in the region.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK is building ties with Egypt both at the political level and through cooperation and assistance in a number of areas including through work on security, the economy, governance and education. The former Prime Minister (The Right Hon. David Cameron), invited President Sisi to London in November 2015 and the Prime Minister spoke to President Sisi on 3rd of August to discuss future cooperation.The UK plans to spend £50m from 2016 to 2020 inclusive to support the country’s continued stability, protect ordinary Egyptians, tackle radicalisation and safeguard tourists and British nationals. UK cooperation includes supporting scientific innovation through the seven year £25m Newton Mosharafa fund, funding which will be matched by the Egyptian government. We are also fostering interfaith understanding through the UK – Al Azhar Religious Studies Scholarship which provides opportunities for future religious leaders to undertake doctoral studies in the UK. And we are working closely with the Egyptian authorities to provide technical assistance on financial reform.The UK and Egypt have a shared interest in the fight against terrorism, and we are committed to working together in a number of areas to combat the terrorist threat. These include aviation security and the protection of tourist resorts. The UK armed forces have also provided their Egyptian counterparts with counter-IED and close protection training. The former Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and Foreign Minister Shoukry signed a Memorandum of Understanding during President Sisi's visit to the UK in November 2015. This committed the Home Office and Egyptian Ministry of Interior to a regular high-level dialogue to increase cooperation across a wide range of areas, including counter-terrorism, illegal migration and organised crime.

Egypt: Terrorism

Lord Stone of Blackheath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the Egyptian economy and tourism industry of their continued advice against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Prior to the downing of Metrojet 9268, tourism accounted for around 12% of Egypt’s GDP.The Egyptian Tourist Minister stated in November that flight suspensions following the Metrojet attack have resulted in direct losses estimated at upwards of $280m a month. This figure includes the impact of flight suspensions by a number of countries including Russia, which has suspended flights to the whole of Egypt. 865,000 British nationals visited Egypt in 2015 accounting for around 1% of Egypt’s GDP. British tourists continue to visit Egypt, for example popular resorts such as Hurghada. We expect that our current suspension of direct UK flights to and from Sharm el Sheikh will mean that the overall numbers are significantly lower this year. We are cooperating closely with the Egyptian government on Aviation Security and have agreed a Joint Action Plan to resume flights between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh.

Morocco: EU External Trade

Lord Trefgarne: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the nature of the agreement between Morocco and the EU; and in particular whether Morocco has access to the European single market.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Morocco’s relationship with the EU is framed through the EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Their relationship covers political and economic cooperation as well as trade and technical assistance. Morocco does not have full access to the European Single Market, but a free trade area established in the 2002 EU-Morocco Association Agreement allows for easier trade in goods between Morocco and the EU.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent the continued demolition of Palestinian homes.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We continue to raise our serious concerns over this issue with the Israeli Government at all levels. On 07 September, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) emphasised our concerns about demolitions with Israeli Defence Minister Lieberman during their meeting.

Bilal Kayed

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in response to the concern expressed by the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Development Aid in the occupied Palestinian territory about the declining health of Bilal Kayid.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: According to an agreement made between Mr. Kayid and the Israeli Government, Mr. Kayid’s administrative detention will not be renewed past 12 December. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises our concerns over the use of administrative detention with the Israeli authorities.

Gaza: Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for ending the siege of Gaza in the light of the new data released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirming that Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip tightened during July and the warning from the UN that Gaza will be uninhabitable by 2020.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: While we have not made any assessment on this specific issue, we remain deeply concerned by the situation in Gaza. We continue to press for urgent measures to relieve the humanitarian suffering of those in Gaza and urge donors to disburse their Gaza pledges.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Israel in the light of the concern expressed by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine about the death of a refugee and the high number of civilian injuries from live ammunition on 16 August during an Israeli military incursion into Fawwar refugee camp.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: While we have not made specific representations to the Israeli authorities over this issue, we have regularly raised our concerns with the Israeli authorities about the Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) use of live fire, urging robust and transparent investigations where appropriate. We understand the IDF is currently investigating the circumstances of the death.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Israel following reports that Israeli forces prevented an ambulance from taking an injured person from Fawwar refugee camp on 16 August.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have not made representations to the Israeli authorities over this specific issue.

South Sudan: Humanitarian Aid

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of South Sudan following reports of attacks on aid workers at the Terrain hotel in Juba in July; and what action they plan to take alongside the USA to investigate the reported crimes committed.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We were appalled by reports of aid workers coming under attack at the Terrain hotel. It is completely unacceptable to target people who have themselves gone to help those in greatest need. We have strongly condemned this attack and the UN Security Council emphasised concerns about this incident directly to the South Sudanese government during its visit to Juba in early September.Together with our Troika colleagues, we urged the South Sudanese authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the atrocities committed at the Terrain compound; and the UN has launched a special independent investigation into the violence and the response of the UN Mission in South Sudan.

South Sudan: Humanitarian Aid

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have evaluated the efficacy of the emergency response of foreign embassies to the reported attacks on aid workers at the Terrain hotel in Juba in July.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We do not evaluate the operations of other embassies, but we are pleased that the UN have announced that they will launch a special independent investigation into the violence and the response of the UN Mission. Our Embassy in Juba helped all those British Nationals who wanted to leave the country during the recent violence in Juba to do so, while at the same time evacuating our own non-essential staff. We will continue to provide consular assistance to those remaining in country.

South Sudan: Humanitarian Aid

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the reported attacks on aid workers in Juba in July on (1) the longer-term presence of UK non-governmental organisations in South Sudan, and (2) the UK's future relations with the government of South Sudan.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The welfare of British Nationals in South Sudan is a top priority for our Embassy in Juba. We have advised our citizens to leave but we recognise that some of those working in non-governmental organisations have decided to stay and will continue to provide assistance to them. The reinforced mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan, including the arrival of a Regional Protection Force in Juba, is designed to provide greater protection for the civilian population, as well as humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organisations. We will continue to lobby the government of South Sudan to allow the mission to operate effectively.

Iran: Political Prisoners

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 6 September (HL Deb, col 936), and in the light of the release of the Montazeri audiotape regarding the massacres in Iran in 1988, whether it is still their position that there is little corroborated evidence of such a massacre taking place.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. The Iranian Government has repeatedly denied that a mass execution took place, though we know that between July 1988 and January 1989 executions did take place. However, even with the recording and media reporting on the incident, we have no confirmation of the numbers involved.

Libya: Islamic State

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to assist with the formulation of a regional strategy and regional co-ordination to prevent IS fighters relocating from Libya to Tunisia and Egypt following the military operation in Libya to recapture Sirte.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have been clear, as has the UN Security Council, that Daesh represent a threat to international peace and security. The UK has a shared interest with Libya and her neighbouring countries in the fight against terrorism, and we are committed to working together with them in a number of areas to combat the terrorist threat, including the risk that some Daesh fighters may seek to relocate from Sirte. Egypt is a vital partner in bringing peace and stability to Libya. As well as cooperating on counter-terrorism, we hold regular discussions on tackling the terrorist threat emanating from Libya, and are sharing expertise on border security. We are working with the Tunisian Government, in concert with other international partners, to secure the Libyan-Tunisian border. This includes the development of a border strategy with the government of Tunisia, targeted training of the border authorities, and provision of equipment to enhance their ability to police the border.

Philippines: Drugs

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of the Philippines following reports that many hundreds of people have been killed by police and vigilantes on suspicion of involvement in drugs; and what assessment they have made of whether the courts and prisons in that country are capable of dealing with the large numbers of newly arrested suspects.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government’s view on the importance of the rule of law is clear, consistent and well known in the Philippines. Our Ambassador has repeatedly raised the Government’s concerns over drug-related killings with the Philippine Administration, including the Foreign Minister, Interior Secretary and Defence Secretary. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Reading West (Mr Sharma), spoke of the importance of democratic accountability, human rights and the rule of law at a UK-Philippines trade and business event in London on 7 September.Members of the Philippine Administration and Supreme Court have highlighted a lack of capacity within the courts and prisons to handle those newly arrested on suspicion of involvement in illegal drugs. We share this concern. The British Government supports the right to a fair trial and the humane treatment of detainees. The Government of the Philippines is taking some steps to increase the functionality of the justice system, including by increasing the number of specialist drug courts. Our Ambassador has conveyed the Government’s willingness to share its own experience of delivering a proportionate criminal justice response to illegal drug use and trafficking.

Ilmi Umerov

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of the Russian Federation about the medical condition and official treatment of Mr Ilmi Umerov and his family; and what response, if any, they have received.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have made very clear – both publicly and in representations to the Russian Government – our grave concern over the treatment of Mr Ilmi Umerov. This particular case is one example of the way in which the overall human rights situation in Crimea has deteriorated significantly since Russia’s illegal annexation. The UK Government will continue to press the Russian Government to allow immediate, unfettered access to Crimea for all international human rights monitoring bodies.

Hong Kong

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what reply they intend to give to the petition of Ms Jennifer Chim Pik Yee of Hong Kong addressed to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Ms Chim Pik petitioned Parliament for a debate on human rights relating to assistance that was provided to her in 2004 following a civil dispute in Pakistan. We have explained that there is nothing further that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can do to assist her.

Pakistan: Religious Freedom

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Pakistan about the kidnapping and forced conversion of Christian and Hindu girls and young women, the alignment of Pakistani Law with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and freedom of religion.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are concerned about continuing reports of abuses against religious minorities in Pakistan. The Government strongly condemns the persecution of all minorities, including the targeting of innocent people based on their beliefs or gender. Our concerns are reflected in the latest update to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual human rights report.We regularly raise our concerns about the protection of vulnerable groups, including women and religious minorities, with the Pakistani Government at a senior level. In April, the previous Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Philip Hammond), raised the importance of safeguarding the rights of all minorities with Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs.It is encouraging that the government of Pakistan has enacted legislation to protect religious minorities. The UK Government continues to urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including those related to religious minorities and women, and to uphold the rule of law.

Saudi Arabia: Migrant Workers

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Saudi Arabia about foreign workers now unemployed and owed pay; and whether they plan to consult the governments of Pakistan, India and the Philippines on that issue.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware of reports of some third country migrant workers not receiving payments. This is a matter for the parties involved in each situation to find a solution.

Syria: White Helmets

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funds or other support they have provided in recent years for the organisation known as White Helmets in Syria; and what assessment they have made of its activities.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK has provided support to Syria Civil Defence (also known as the White Helmets) through the cross-departmental Conflict Pool and its successor, the Conflict Stability and Security Fund. Our assistance has been delivered through trusted third party implementers. The total value of funds committed between June 2013 and the end of the last financial year (31 March 2016) was £19.7m. For financial year 2016/17, we have allocated a further £12.5m.Our support to Syria Civil Defence is part of a coordinated international programme of assistance. It has helped to provide the Syrian-led organisation of over 2800 volunteers with much-needed training and equipment. To date they have saved more than 60,000 lives and were nominated for the Nobel peace prize in both 2015 and 2016 in recognition of their efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

Italy: Passports

Lord Moonie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consular offices remain in Italy at which UK citizens can renew their passports, and what plans they have for those that still provide this service.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: British nationals cannot renew full validity passports at consular offices in Italy. Passport applications are made online and documentation is sent to Her Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK. British nationals can get an Emergency Travel Document at the British Embassy in Rome or at the British Consulate General in Milan when they have an urgent need to travel and meet the necessary criteria.

Department for International Development

Overseas Aid

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were (1) the core, and (2) the non-core, contributions made by the Department for International Development to (a) the United Nations Population Fund, (b) UNICEF, (c) the World Health Organization, (d) the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, (e) UN Women, (f) The Global Fund, (g) the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and (h) Women and Children First (UK), in (i) 2014–15, and (ii) 2015–16.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The table (below) shows DFID’s spend to these organisations over the timeframe specified. (£ Millions) 2014/152015/16 corenon-corecorenon-coreUnited Nations Population Fund20144.22092.6UNICEF48266.548274.8the World Health Organization (WHO)14.5265.8*14.5-the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS15-15UN Women12.52.312.52.7The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria285-100the International Planned Parenthood Federation8.6-8.6-Women and Children First (UK).2-.2- Total (£ Millions)403.8678.8204.3370.1 *The World Health Organization operates a biennial budget cycle; as such the non-core funding figure for the 2014/15 financial year covers the 2015/16 financial year also

South Sudan: Overseas Aid

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much development aid has been provided to South Sudan in each of the last three years, and how much of that aid was specifically focused on conflict resolution and promoting reconciliation.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Through DFID the UK provided £158m in 2013/14 and £188m in 2015/16 of development aid to South Sudan, a further £165 million is budgeted to be spent this financial year.The UK remains committed to helping bring an end to the cycle of violence in South Sudan. Many of our programmes have components aimed at conflict resolution and reconciliation. In terms of specific programming, a £12 million ‘Community Security and Arms Control’ project running from 2012-16 helps to control and regulate small arms, enhance dispute resolution mechanisms and improve security within communities. In addition, through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) the UK spent almost £1.4 million on conflict resolution and promoting reconciliation in 2015/16, and is forecasting to spend a further £1 million in 2016/17, including on community level peacebuilding and the Conflict Sensitivity Programme. DFID works very closely with the FCO, who, along with ‘Troika’ partners the US and Norway, are working to help end the conflict through the implemention of the 2015 peace agreement.

Department for Education

Further Education: Higher Education

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many students, broken down by region of domicile, were enrolled for higher education qualifications at further education colleges in England in the academic year 2014–15.

Lord Nash: Information prepared by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) on participation in Higher Education at Further Education Colleges (FECs) in England in the academic year 2014/15 has been provided in the table. Full-person equivalent students registered for a HE qualification by region of domicile Further Education Colleges in England Academic Year 2014/15Region of DomicileAcademic Year 2014/15  North East6,040North West14,690Yorkshire and the Humber12,595East Midlands5,945West Midlands5,150East of England3,755Greater London6,695South East7,640South West4,555Wales570Scotland315Northern Ireland195England (unknown)3,715United Kingdom (unknown)25EU565Rest of the world2,160Total (all domiciles)74,610 Source: Information is derived from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student return and the Skills Funding Agency individualised learner record (ILR) F05 return Prepared by: Analytical Services Directorate, HEFCE, 7 September 2016 Coverage:- Students registered at FECs are only included if they are studying a prescribed course of HE.- Includes students across all years of study, at all levels and modes of higher education and distance learners.- Numbers are based on where the student was domiciled rather than where they student studied.- Full-person equivalents (FPEs) have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Further Education

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government in (1) 2011–12, (2) 2012–13, (3) 2013–14, and (4) 2014–15, how many of the "level 4+" qualifications (a) started, and (b) achieved, by adults participating in Government-funded adult further education and listed in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills statistical first releases on further education and skills were at (i) level 4, (ii) level 5, and (iii) level 6+.

Lord Nash: The table below shows the breakdown of Level 4+ participations and achievements between 2011/12 and 2014/15 academic years.Adult (19+) FE and Skills Participation and Achievements by Level (2011/12 to 2014/15) – Learner Volumes  Participation  2011/122012/132013/142014/15 Level 435,60041,70026,20025,600 Level 53,3008,20010,10018,000 Level 6700500100100 Total Level 4+39,20050,00036,40043,500   Achievements  2011/122012/132013/142014/15 Level 420,30022,80011,7008,800 Level 51,0001,2001,1002,700 Level 63002000- Total Level 4+21,50024,20012,90011,400 Source: ILR data  Notes: 1. Data in the table above are rounded to the nearest 100 therefore the totals may not add up.   2. Learners participating in more than one level in academic years are counted for each level and once in the total.

Adult Education

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, with reference to adults gaining qualifications under the Government-funded education and training budget in 2014–15, how many of the 86,700 gaining a "full level 3" obtained (1) A levels, (2) applied academic awards such as BTEC diplomas, and (3) a full level 3 occupational or technical award.

Lord Nash: DfE do not currently classify all the categories asked for. The response provides a partial answer and we will place a fuller answer to the House of Lords Library in due course.The table below shows the breakdown of full level 3 achievements in 2014/15 academic years by learning aim and reports the number of Full Level 3 achievements via obtaining 2 A-levels, Access to HE, and other Full Level 3 learning aims that include occupational or broad vocational aims.Adult (19+) Education and Training Achievement for Full Level 3 by aim type ( in 2014/15)  – Learner Volumes Achievements2014/15A-Level300 Access to HE22,900 Other Full Level 363,500 Total Full Level 386,700 Source: ILR 2014/15  Notes: 1.The learners are counted for each learning aim they achieved but only once in the Total Full Level 3 row. 2. The data are rounded to the nearest 100.

Students: Loans

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the tuition fee loans made by the Student Loans Company in (1) 2014–15, and (2) 2015–16, were for awards at a level below a full bachelors degree, such as foundation degrees, higher national diplomas, and other awards at level 5.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Student Loans Company (SLC) administers student support for each of the UK Government administrations. Statistics on expenditure on student support are published annually in the Statistical First Release (SFR) ‘Student Support for Higher Education in England’. This is available in the ‘Official statistics’ section of the SLC’s website. Provisional figures for the academic year 2014/15 were published in December 2015 and showed that tuition fee loans had been paid to Higher Education providers on behalf of 971,000 students. Of these, we estimate that 73,900 (8%) were for course aims at a level below a full Bachelor’s degree. Provisional figures for the academic year 2015/16 will be published later this year.

Foundation Degrees

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many students (1) completed, and (2) commenced, a foundation degree in (a) 2013–14, and (b) 2014–15.

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the students who commenced a foundation degree in 2013–14did so at (1) a university, (2) a further education college, or (3) an alternative provider.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: Information prepared by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) on entry to Foundation Degrees at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Further Education Colleges (FECs) in England in the academic years 2013/14 and 2014/15 is given in the table below. Statistics for entry to Foundation Degrees at Alternative Providers (AP) of Higher Education have been available from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) from the academic year 2014/15. There were 130 entrants to Foundation Degrees at the 63 reporting providers. Information on completions can only be provided at disproportionate cost. Full-person equivalent students commencing a foundation degree HEIs and FECs in EnglandAcademic Years 2013/14 and 2014/15Registering institution typeAcademic Year2013/142014/15Higher Education Institutions21,17019,065Further Education Colleges14,92514,510Total36,09533,575Source: Information is derived from the HESA student return and the Skills Funding Agency individualised learner record (ILR) F05 returnPrepared by: Analytical Services Directorate, HEFCE, 7 September 2016Coverage:- Includes students registered with HEIs but taught at FECs or APs under franchised arrangements.- Students registered at FECs are only included if they are studying a prescribed course of HE.- Includes all modes of higher education study and distance learners.- Full-person equivalents (FPEs) have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Construction: National Vocational Qualifications

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many level 5 and level 6 Construction Industry Training Board Construction NVQ diplomas were awarded in (1) 2014, and (2) 2015.

Lord Nash: Final data for 2014/15 show that there were no Level 5 or Level 6 Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) NVQ diploma achievements in the construction, planning and the built environment sector subject area. Data reported so far for August to April of the 2015/16 academic year also show that there were no Level 5 or Level 6 CITB NVQ diploma achievements in the construction sector subject area. The data for 2015/16 are subject to change as further data returns relating to the period are received later in the year.

Further Education: Higher Education

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Higher National Certificates were awarded for courses funded from the Skills Funding Agency’s further education and skills budget in (1) 2013–14, and (2) 2014–15; and how many of those certificates were in construction and the built environment.

Lord Nash: Table 1 shows the number of Higher National Certificate achievements in 2013/14 and 2014/15 academic years. Table 1. Higher National Certificate Achievements, 2013/14 to 2014/152013/142014/15Construction, Planning and the Built Environment3030Total HNC Achievements360520Source: ILR data  Note: Data in the table above are rounded to the nearest 10.

Further Education: Higher Education

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Higher National Diplomas were awarded for courses funded from the Skills Funding Agency’s further education and skills budget in (1) 2013–14, and (2) 2014–15.

Lord Nash: Table 1 shows the number of Higher National Diploma achievements for courses funded by the Skills Funding Agency in 2013/14 and 2014/15 academic years. Table 1. Higher National Diploma Achievements, 2013/14 to 2014/152013/142014/15  Total HND achievements110160   Source: ILR dataNote 1: Data in the table above are rounded to the nearest 10.

Schools: Health Education

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for patients who have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, mental health problems or other illnesses, to go into schools to talk to children about those conditions, to give them a better understanding of the nature of those illnesses.

Lord Nash: The national ‎curriculum sets the expectation that pupils study personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education in maintained schools and academies are encouraged to teach it as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. Schools and teachers should decide what to teach based on their pupils’ needs, and taking account of pupil and parent views, when planning health education as part of PSHE. We believe that schools are best placed to decide whether they draw on the support of patients or resources using patients’ perspectives when delivering PSHE.

Apprentices: Taxation

Lord Aberdare: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish details of how the apprenticeship levy will affect employers in the devolved UK nations.

Lord Aberdare: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when employers in the devolved UK nations will start to pay the apprenticeship levy; and how funds raised from that levy will be made available to promote apprenticeships in the devolved nations.

Lord Nash: On 12 August, we published proposals for how apprenticeships will be funded in England from May 2017; these include how apprentices living elsewhere in the UK, but employed in England, will be supported. Details are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/views-sought-on-plans-to-boost-apprenticeships. We are committed to publishing final funding rates and rules for England by the end of October. Discussions are taking place with devolved administrations to ensure that apprenticeship funding works for employers wherever they are in the UK, when the levy is introduced. The apprenticeship levy will be payable at 0.5% of pay bill by employers across the whole of the UK. An allowance of £15,000 means that only employers with a pay bill of more than £3 million per year will pay the levy, less than 2% of employers. The levy will come into effect on 6 April 2017. The UK government has made a commitment that the devolved administrations will receive a fair share of the levy, and discussions are ongoing to deliver this outcome. As skills policy is devolved it is for the devolved administrations to decide how they will fund apprenticeships in their nations.

Literacy

Baroness Rebuck: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the finding in the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee's Fifth Report of Session 2014–15 that the ability to gain literacy and numeracy skills is a fundamental right of all adults, what steps they are taking to ensure that the one in six of the population with poor literacy skills have opportunities to gain at least entry level literacy skills.

Lord Nash: This Government understands the importance of strong literacy skills and makes English provision a priority for support within the adult skills system. We fully fund, through a statutory entitlement, all adults to achieve their first English GCSE at grade C or above as well as other qualifications which help them get to that level. We also support English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision, in addition to DCLG’s community-based programmes and investment in Syrian refugees’ English Language training through the Syrian resettlement programme. This provision is available for a wide range of learners including:Prisoners, through the Offender Learning and Skills Service;Learners in the community, including through Family English, Maths and Language;People who need ESOL;Trainees as part of their traineeship;Apprentices as part of their apprenticeship;Jobseekers.To enable these learners to improve their literacy skills, we have embedded English at the heart of all our major programmes. This means:Learners who did not achieve a good GCSE pass in English by the age of 16 are now required to continue to study the subject post-16;Since 2014/15, the English requirement for Intermediate Apprenticeships has been stronger, with all apprentices who have already achieved level 1 English having to work towards level 2;Since 2014/15, young people undertaking a traineeship have been required to study English unless they already have level 2 qualifications in the subjects;We have reformed GCSEs to ensure they are more stretching and provide greater assurance of core literacy skills than the old GCSEs. In line with the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee recommendation, we recognise that some people are not ready to take GCSE so we are also improving the rigour and relevance of English Functional Skills qualifications, which are taken by many students and apprentices aged 16 and over. We have commissioned the Education and Training Foundation to revise the National Literacy (and Numeracy) Standards and reform Functional Skills with the new qualifications being delivered from September 2018. To ensure high quality provision is delivered, we have invested over £30m over the past 3 years to improve the quality of the English (and maths) workforce in further education, driving forward improvements in governance and leadership. To ensure prisoners have the opportunity to improve their literacy skills, Government accepted in principle the recommendations of the review led by Dame Sally Coates on prison education which will include developing a new curriculum for the teaching of basic literacy in prisons. Lastly, we are undertaking a range of research to better understand where Government investment in English has the greatest impact and delivers value for money. As recommended by the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee in their 14/15 report, Government is using behavioural insights to identify how to motivate adults to improve their English and encourage learners to keep studying once enrolled on a course. I am pleased to report that very positive trial results will be published shortly by the Behavioural Insights Team. This report includes trial findings working with the Army as a significant provider of workplace literacy training.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force each have the manpower to meet their current operational commitments; and what capacity each service has to meet additional commitments if required.

Earl Howe: The Armed Forces are meeting all of their current operational commitments. We routinely examine the implications of possible future activity for the Armed Forces and current deployments.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the qualifying criteria for servicemen to be considered as mobilised, and how mobilisation is recognised.

Earl Howe: The Reserve Forces are a valuable and highly valued component of the Armed Forces. Under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 the Secretary of State for Defence can authorise the mobilisation of Reserve Forces if it appears to him that it is necessary or desirable to use them to contribute to the delivery of the nation's security. All reservists are liable for mobilisation. The maximum period for which a reservist may be mobilised is up to one year in a four year period.We aim to provide at least 28 days notice of mobilisation. In selecting individuals for mobilisation we will, as far as practicable, take into account their personal circumstances, including employment. The flexibility in selecting individuals for mobilisation will depend on the scale, urgency and nature of the threat. Employers and reservists can appeal against a mobilisation.When a reservist reports for military service, a medical inspection is carried out and their physical fitness is measured to ascertain their wellbeing and fitness to deploy. Training appropriate to the nature of the task will be given prior to deployment.Once mobilised individuals are paid as regulars and receive relevant allowances. In addition, reservists and their employers are entitled to claim financial assistance which mitigates the financial impact of the mobilisation.

Unidentified Flying Objects

Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have undertaken any follow-up work as a result of the MoD study Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in the UK Air Defence Region published on 15 May 2006; and if so, what was the nature and status of such work, and what units were involved.

Earl Howe: No.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Subsidies

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to continue to include the current requirements for cross compliance within continuing farm payments up to 2020 following the UK leaving the EU including (1) the protection of watercourses and groundwater, (2) public rights of way and boundaries, (3) soil protection standards, (4) standards of animal husbandry and welfare, and (5) the use of plant protection products.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Delivering a successful and profitable farming industry and protecting the environment will continue to form an important part of our work. The Government will work closely with both industry and the public to determine the most effective way to deliver those objectives in future.

Kielder Forest: Lynx

Baroness Quin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to undertake a consultation with farmers and farmers' organisations on any proposal to release lynx into Kielder Forest in Northumberland.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: In accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Natural England, as the licensing authority, considers any application for the reintroduction of former native species in England.No application has been received to reintroduce lynx into England. If a licence application is received Natural England would consider it carefully in accordance with appropriate international guidelines, taking account of socio-economic impacts and the impact on the welfare of the animals themselves.

Air Pollution

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the recently introduced air quality action plans will require local authorities to take into account the latest research showing that air pollution particles can enter the nervous system and the brain.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Air quality has improved significantly in recent decades and we are working at local, national and international levels to continue those improvements. The UK currently meets legal limits for almost all pollutants. The national air quality plan for NO2, published in December last year, combines targeted local and national measures, forming part of a wider approach that exploits new and clean technologies, such as electric and ultra-low emission vehicles. As part of the national plan we are requiring five cities to implement Clean Air Zones. The relevant cities are Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton.These measures will also reduce particulate matter concentrations. Alongside national action, local authorities have opportunities to improve air quality for the protection of public health and the environment through their decisions on local land use planning, environmental health, roads, highways and local air quality management. Local authorities are also able to introduce Clean Air Zones voluntarily. The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution provides independent evidence to Government on the impacts of air pollution on health. It regularly reviews latest research, and Defra reflects its guidance in its policy-making.

Koi Herpesvirus

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to use further interventions to prevent the spread of Koi herpesvirus disease which kills common and ornamental carp.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government recognises the importance of protecting the UK from fish diseases including koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease which can have serious effects on our native fish population, angling waters and aquaculture industry. We have strong control measures in place to identify and constrain outbreaks of KHV. This includes an annual surveillance programme in fish farms; the prohibition of the movement of live fish from KHV infected sites, both farm and fishery; and, restrictions on angling in affected waters during disease outbreaks. We will continue to apply these control measures robustly to prevent spread of the disease. In addition we support research into KHV transmission routes and will review our options for interventions as new scientific information becomes available. KHV is most likely transmitted through the movement of live fish and it has also been demonstrated that angling equipment such as keep nets may spread infection. Defra has been working closely with the Angling Trust on the Check, Clean, Dry campaign to support good practice in the angling community, and with the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association to highlight the importance of not releasing pet fish into the environment. Last year we published the aquatic animal health strategy for England setting out our approach and activities to protect and improve aquatic animal health over the next five years. This includes looking at the use of new technologies to improve disease surveillance.

Livestock: Antibiotics

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 April (HL7511), and in the light of the outcome of the EU referendum, whether they will now consider bringing forward legislation to ban the routine use on farms of antibiotics classified by the WHO as critically important for treating bacterial infections in humans, rather than waiting until the EU negotiations on the relevant legislation are completed in late 2017.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government does not support the routine preventative use of antibiotics in animals, including those classified as critically important. We will be restricting the use of the most important critically important antibiotics (CIAs) through measures already underway to remove indications for preventive treatment of groups of livestock from medicines containing the most important CIAs. This will not require legislative change.

Tree Planting

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 4 April (HL7141), whether they are on target to meet their commitment to plant 11 million trees by 2020, and what are the latest figures for trees planted to date.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Figures published by the Forestry Commission show that 546 hectares of woodland was created in England during the financial year 2015-16. This was supported by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). In addition, the Forestry Commission estimates that a further 165 hectares of woodland was created without RDPE support, bringing the total created during 2015-16 to 711 hectares. In the period April 2016 - June 2017, a further 422 hectares of woodland was created with RDPE support. This amounted to 1,292,000 trees planted in England. This Government remains committed to planting 11 million trees during this Parliament.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Families: Disadvantaged

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received an evaluation of the Troubled Families programme from the consultancy firm Ecorys; when they received that evaluation; whether they plan to publish it; and if so when.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: I can confirm we have received a draft evaluation of the original Troubled Families Programme from Ecorys. The original draft report was received last autumn. The evaluation comprises several different strands. The evaluation is not yet ready to publish as there have been methodological issues with one of the strands. We expect the contractors to complete the reports shortly and in line with protocol, the Government will publish them soon after.

European Investment Bank

Baroness Scott of Needham Market: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the EU referendum result, what is the status of applications made to the European Investment Bank by housing associations and local authorities.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The UK is and continues to be a shareholder of the European Investment Bank and the EIB has publicly stated that its engagement in the UK is unchanged. All existing loan contracts signed between UK promoters and the EIB remain in force, and the EIB has continued to sign and approve new projects since the referendum.

HM Treasury

EU Grants and Loans

Baroness Janke: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that “structural and investment funds projects signed before the Autumn Statement and Horizon research funding granted before we leave the EU will be guaranteed by the Treasury after we leave”,whether they intend to publish the number and value of contracts signed for each funding stream approved between the Chancellor’s announcement and the Autumn Statement.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Treasury does not hold information about individual EU funded projects, so the detailed information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Information about EU funded projects in the UK is in the public domain, e.g. a list of European Structural and Investment Funds beneficiaries is available on Gov.uk. In line with the Chief Secretary’s letter of 12th August, a copy of which has been deposited in the Libraries of the House, further details will be provided ahead of the Autumn Statement.

Occupational Pensions: Tax Allowances

Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many workers earning below the personal tax threshold were paying into net-pay pension schemes in (1) 2010–11, (2) 2011–12, (3) 2012–13, (4) 2013–14, (5) 2014–15, (6) 2015–16 and (7) 2016–17 to date.

Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of workers who earn under £11,000 a year and are contributing to net-pay pension schemes.

Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of employers using net-pay pension schemes that are unaware that their workers who earn less than £11,000 a year are unable to receive the tax relief they could receive in a relief-at-source scheme.

Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total value of tax relief not paid to low-paid workers in (1) 2014–15, (2) 2015–16, and (3) 2016–17 to date, as a result of those workers contributing to a net pay scheme from which they were unable to receive the tax relief to which they would be entitled in a relief-at-source scheme.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Government does not collect data on the number of workers earning less than the personal allowance who are also members of pension schemes that operate a net pay system. The Government does not hold employee level data on employees enrolled in net pay pension schemes, as such schemes are not obliged to report pension contributions to HM Revenue and Customs. The Government does not therefore hold information on the value of tax reliefs paid out to employees in net pay schemes. However, the Pensions Regulator provides guidance to employers on choosing a pension scheme for their staff in order to discharge their statutory obligations under automatic enrolment. This guidance covers the choice between net pay and relief at source schemes, and the implications of net pay schemes for employees who do not pay tax.

Immigration

Lord Hamilton of Epsom: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord O’Neill of Gatley on 5 September (HL Deb, col 849–50), what assessment they have made of the impact of immigration on wage rates and productivity in the UK.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: As noted in the 2012 report by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the empirical literature suggests that the impact of migration on productivity may be mixed and heavily dependent on the type of migrant coming to the UK. Migrants may increase productivity either through a simple ‘batting average’ effect if they work in higher productivity roles relative to the average for non-migrants, or through increasing the productivity of UK workers through greater specialisation and knowledge transfer. In this report, the MAC established the key role played by skilled migrants in raising productivity. Further, the 2014 MAC report, ‘Migrants in low-skilled work’, found low skilled migrants have a neutral impact on UK-born employment rates, GDP per head and productivity. The impact of immigration on wage rates is also mixed, although a 2015 working paper by the Bank of England found an increase in the immigrant to native ratio has a small negative impact on average British wages.

International Monetary Fund

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report published on 8 July by the Independent Evaluation Office of the International Monetary Fund, The IMF and the crises in Greece, Ireland, and Portugal.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The IMF Executive Board discussed the report entitled The IMF and the crises in Greece, Ireland, and Portugal on 19 July 2016. The UK plays an active part in such dialogues. While we welcome the report, board discussions remain confidential until the minutes are made accessible three years after the meeting. The Chairman’s summing up, and the statement by the IMF Managing Director offering a response to the report’s recommendations, offer more information. They can be found on the Independent Evaluation Office’s (IEO) website. As the body which provides objective and independent evaluation on IMF issues, the work of the IEO is important in improving transparency, oversight and enhancing the learning culture at the Fund.

Personal Savings: Tax Allowances

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for not taxing the income from interest-bearing savings whilst interest rates are low.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: Since April 2016 savers have benefitted from a new Personal Savings Allowance of up to £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers, and £500 for higher rate taxpayers. They can also save up to £15,240 tax-free in ISAs this tax year. Together these measures mean that 95% of taxpayers have no savings tax to pay at all.

International Monetary Fund

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the criticisms in the report published on 8 July by the Independent Evaluation Office of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The IMF and the Crises in Greece, Ireland, and Portugal, what value they now place on the IMF's forecasts and policy statements.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The government continues to value the IMF’s forecasts and other analytical outputs, which are supported by high quality technical analysis and data-gathering. This is used alongside the government’s own analysis, and the work of other institutions. We do not believe that the International Evaluation Office’s (IEO) report entitled The IMF and the Crises in Greece, Ireland and Portugal provides compelling evidence to alter this practice. The government values the work of the IEO, which is important in improving transparency, oversight and enhancing the learning culture at the Fund.

Pensions: Taxation

Baroness Drake: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with HM Revenue and Customs about the annual publication, in standard format, of data on the drawing of pension savings that have to be reported as taxable income by (1) age, (2) gender, (3) characteristics of income draw down products, (4) cash lump sums, and (5) annuities.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) publishes the number and value of flexible payments made from pensions since April 2015. The quarterly publication does not include breakdowns of pension payments by characteristic, nor are there any plans to. In accordance with the National Statistics Code of Practice, Official Statistics are shared with a minimal number of named officials 24 hours prior to publication. HMRC maintains and publishes a record, which can be found on gov.uk, of all of those who have pre-release access to National Statistics and Official Statistics.

Broadband: Finance

Lord Allen of Kensington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many proposals they have received from prospective fund managers in response to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority competition for a commercial partner for its proposed Broadband Investment Fund, and when they plan to announce the successful bidder.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Infrastructure and Projects Authority has received seven proposals from prospective commercial partners for the proposed Broadband Investment Fund. Officials are currently evaluating the proposals and carrying out due diligence. The government will announce a decision in due course.

National Infrastructure Commission

Lord Allen of Kensington: To ask Her Majesty’s Governmentwhen they plan to bring forward legislation to provide a statutory basis for the independent National Infrastructure Commission.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The National Infrastructure Commission has a crucial role to play in setting out the country’s infrastructure priorities. Since being set up, it has produced three challenging and authoritative reports on smart power, London transport and a long-term strategy for transport in the North, and has recently consulted on its approach to the first National Infrastructure Assessment. The government remains fully committed to the Commission and we are considering how it can best support the government’s new industrial strategy.

National Infrastructure Commission

Lord Sharkey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the absence of proposals in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, whether they still plan to put the National Infrastructure Commission on a statutory basis; if so, when, and if not, why not.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: To allow the Neighbourhood Planning Bill to focus on essential planning measures, legislation for the National Infrastructure Commission has not be included at this time. The Commission is an important part of the government’s overall approach on infrastructure and has already made a significant impact through its first three reports. We remain fully committed to the Commission which has a crucial role to play in setting out the country’s infrastructure priorities. We are considering how it can best support the government’s new industrial strategy.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Borders: Northern Ireland

Lord Eames: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultations they have had with the government of the Republic of Ireland on a special arrangement for the land border between the EU and the UK as a result of Brexit.

Lord Bridges of Headley: There has been a range of engagement with the Irish Government, including a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach in London on the 26 July and meetings between the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and Irish Ministers in Dublin on 8 September. We have had a Common Travel Area between the UK and the Republic of Ireland many years before either country was a member of the European Union. There is a strong will in the UK Government, the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to preserve it, and it remains our intention to do so.

Department for International Trade

Turkey: Overseas Investment

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the implications for inward investment in Turkey by UK companies and financial institutions of the attempted coup of 15 July.

Lord Price: The attempted coup of 15 July came as a surprise to everyone including UK investors in Turkey. The democratically elected government remains in power. Its policies, relating to international investors, remain the same or have been improved, with the aim of encouraging more foreign direct investment. UK investors were quick to confirm their intention to maintain or enhance their investments. We have consulted widely with the UK investor community, their message is clear; they are in Turkey for the long term and do not believe the events of 15 July have altered the economic fundamentals or the business case for continuing to invest in the market.

Department of Health

Hepatitis

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many patients were treated for hepatitis C and what were the actual or estimated costs of such treatment in each of the years 2014–15, 2015–16, and 2016–17.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Comprehensive data on all hepatitis C treatment in the United Kingdom is presented in the Public Health England annual report on Hepatitis C in the UK. The latest version published in July 2016 is called Hepatitis C in the UK 2016 report: Working towards its elimination as a major public health threat, and reported that treatment rates increased by around 40% in the calendar year 2015, up to 8,970 from an average of 6,400 in previous years. A copy of the report is attached. The report also presented preliminary figures to show that deaths in the UK from hepatitis C-related end stage liver disease and liver cancer fell for the first time in 2015, suggesting that access to new oral treatment via the early access schemes for patients with decompensated cirrhosis and cirrhosis may be having a positive impact. In April 2014, NHS England announced an interim commissioning policy to make these new highly effective oral treatments available to patients with liver failure. In June 2014, NHS England implemented a second Interim Commissioning Policy, extending access to patients with cirrhosis. Hepatitis C drugs are subject to commercially confidential discounts and rebate agreements. Releasing estimated or actual spend data includes the impact of these confidential prices which if released would inhibit the ability of companies to do business with the Department in the future. The Department has a duty to ensure that they adhere to the terms of confidentiality agreements when considering the release of information under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme or other Commercial Medicines Unit drug framework agreements.



Hepatitis C in the UK Report
(PDF Document, 914.01 KB)